Telegram-herald., 1887-04-15
A REIGN or TERROR
Jamestown, New York. in the
Power Of Burglars.
A CITY WHICH IS WITHOUT POLICE.
Citizens Forming Patrols and Vigilance
Committees-rhe Citys Supply
OF Locks. solts and Guns
Exhausted.

JA4Esrows. n. Y. April l4-Searly =
year ago the village Of jamestown became
an Incorporated city. since that time there
has been no enforcement OF local laws o.
city ordinances owing 10 the non-procure-
msnt Of a city charter, the preparation Of
which has been delayed again and again
Today jamestown has population OF
1900. but the place u in the same con-
diIion in regard to local laws and ordin-
ances as the hsmlets and villages OF few
hundred Inhabitants. There is but one
policeman % guard the town in the day
time and az night Two policemen watch over
the lives OF 5000 people and protect mil
lions OF dollars worth of property. When
this state OF affairs became known
% The gamblers and crooks OF other cities
they began docking in here in large num-
bers- During the pest few months dozen
gambling rooms have been IN operation.
aad fifty sporting women and several hun
dred gamblers, crooks and blacklegs have
congregated here. Two weeks ago a series
OF 0urglaries began, which have continued
nightly. Last Saturday morning A. K. Cat
lin, merchant. shot and instantly killed
Chester W. Green, one OF a large gang OF
burglars Green was caught in the Act OF
entering Catlin's house. The act of justi-
fable homicide did not seem 20 have the
desired effect upon the burglars and crooks,
as robbsries and burglsries have oc-
CURED nightly since the killing of
Green. The two night policemen have
been powerless and the entire city has been
aud IS virtually At the mercy OF an organ
ized band of thieves. Last night twenty
citizens met and volunteered their services
as \ special patrol. Notwithstanding these
precautions citizen was attacked by two
highwaymen al 3 O'Clock last evening and
knocked down. The thieves were frightened
away by his cries Four houses were en-
tered last night and this morning between
l and o'clock burglars entered the house
OF SIR. Brockway, who lives Of AZ Hazard
81. The thieves tried to gain admittance
through a kitchen door, using a jimmy
and chisel. Failing in this attempt they
pried up the bottom of front window, but
could not gain scmittance. They then
tried the front door, and succeeded in bor
Ing hole through the wood and turning
the key with nipper. Nr. Brockway
slept down stairs He heard lamp shade
tail from the sitting room table and leaped
20 bis feet. As he reached the door Of the
sitting room tise burglars seized him aroun d
the waist. A desperate struggle ensued.
Mr.. Brcckvays night shirt was torn into
shreds and he wss hurled against the bed
room door. Brockwsy says that the bur-
gar threw him against the bed room a
second time, and the last time sent a
spray Of chioroform into his face The bur
g.arS then took their heels out OF
the front door, which was standing open.
Brockways trousers were found on the
floor with the pockets turned inside out.
The town IS so thoroughly frightened
that many women and children have not
gone 10 bed for many nights. There is a
psrlect reign OF terror throughout the town.
Every citizen goes armed. One can scarcely
buy a revolver In town. Tonight the Eagle
Hose Company volunteered their services
as a special patrol. A vigilance committee
Is being formed.
The thieves are becoming so bold that
/ they openly tell the solitary day policemen
Of intended raids at night. More bur-
I glaries are expected tonight and II
is more than probable that the thieves
/ will be shot on sight II caught In the act Of
/ breaking into houses. Not IN years has
| there been so much excitement here A
tour OF the hardware and gun stores made
tonight reveals the fact that the stock oi
locks aud bolts. and gGns and revolvers in
/ the city is exhausted. Dealers have sent To
Buffalo for sddi;ionsl supplies. The
Deputy sherifs in charge OF the citizens
are inclined 70 think that the burgariss are
! being committed by q fine haired gang dis
! trlbuted IN groups and stopping AZ the
SIX principal hotels. One noted
New York thief, and four pals are Al q
I tasbionsole bouse. and four We known
/ Buffalo crooks are AZ another. At A special
session Of the city council tonight Si0o
were offered for everv burglar captured
| This Office i made TO any citizen, whether
i on nafrof o. not